The most unfathomable schools and sages have never attained to the gravity which dwells in the eyes of a baby of three months old. It is the gravity of astonishment at the universe, and astonishment at the universe is not mysticism, but a transcendent common-sense. The fascination of children lies in this: that with each of them all things are remade, and the universe is put again upon its trial.

To hurry through one's leisure is the most unbusiness-like of actions.

Nothing is poetical if plain daylight is not poetical; and no monster should amaze us if the normal man does not amaze.

A citizen can hardly distinguish between a tax and a fine, except that the fine is generally much lighter.

We make our friends; we make our enemies; but God makes our next door neighbour.

The average businessman began to be agnostic, not so much because he did not know where he was, as because he wanted to forget. Many of the rich took to scepticism exactly as the poor took to drink; because it was a way out.

The world will very soon be divided, unless I am mistaken, into those who still go on explaining our success, and those somewhat more intelligent who are trying to explain our failure.